Blackstone Business Improvement District

[NEDodger]

Oh the irony! Right now our infrastructure is forcing everyone to drive a car. If you don't like it, tough!

No, it’s not. People are choosing to live in places not served by mass transit for a multitude of reasons and are quite fine with that. Just as there are people who are choosing to live by places with mass transit and are fine with that. The disconnect is that you seem to have this belief that everyone WANTS to use mass transit. They don’t. You seem to have this crusade that if you try hard enough and build enough mass transit options, that everyone will change their minds. They won’t.

They will park at Aksarben and ride the bus to Blackstone.

Literally no one will do this. They’ll opt to stay at Aksarben.

Regardless, I'm not taking all parking away from Blackstone.

I know you aren’t. It’s because you don’t own $&$@ there.

If I own a business in Blackstone, I want the streetcar to come through, I want bus stops around, I’m all for bike racks. AND….I want some big parking garages in the area. Why? Because me keeping my livelihood is more important than playing SimCity on a message board. I want as many customers to be able to easily access my business so they can empty their pockets to me. I am not going to advocate for something that will make it much easier for a potential customer base to shrug and say “eh, it’s just easier if we go somewhere closer to us”.

The sky does not fall when you can't find parking 5 feet from the front door

No one is saying it does. There’s a massive difference between saying a parking garage on the west end of Blackstone would be nice vs.

1. Drive to Aksarben
2. Sit and wait in the cold for a bus at Aksarben
3. Wait additional time for the bus to get to Blackstone
4. Hope that the bus is still operating after your night is over!
5. Oh |expletive| - bus service ended! Now I have to Uber back to Aksarben
6. Drive home from Aksarben.

Build a garage that is multi-purpose. Commercial/retail bays on bottom with cars on upper floors. I would even add bike parking on the ground level as well.

We’re on the same page here.

[Athomsfere]

Oh the irony! Right now our infrastructure is forcing everyone to drive a car. If you don't like it, tough!

No, it’s not. People are choosing to live in places not served by mass transit for a multitude of reasons and are quite fine with that. Just as there are people who are choosing to live by places with mass transit and are fine with that. The disconnect is that you seem to have this belief that everyone WANTS to use mass transit. They don’t. You seem to have this crusade that if you try hard enough and build enough mass transit options, that everyone will change their minds. They won’t.

Imma go with Yes it is.

The USA has bad transit. Even our best cities are just "Mostly Ok transit".

Omaha is certainly on the terrible multi-modal options side of things. Improving slowly, but it needs a kick in the pants to give people actual options.

Right now, the car is the only real choice for getting around. Especially if you aren't making enough money to live anywhere you would want. Imagine living in Millard and wanting to be able to walk to the Walmart. It's really not a choice.

[Dusty]

@NEDodger- We can agree to disagree!

They whole point of my comments is to create awareness of multi-modal travel and Transporation transparency (spending).
We have multiple options to fix the influx of cars. We tend to always to pick the most expensive options to that promotes more car usage. We completely ignore the other options. In the end, we could still feel the garage is necessary. Less capacity is needed because we displaced car parking in other garages with transit used finish out the journey. That less capacity can lead to having businesses built on the ground floor verses a garage exclusively for cars.

We just have different perspectives. You want to drive and park onsite, and that's fine. If you get a close-up spot, then that's awesome But if it's busy you will circle around for 10 minutes looking for parking. You end up parking 5-6 blocks away and walk. That's Another 10 minutes. I decide to park in the garage in Midtown Crossing, downtown, or Aksarben. I wait 5-15 minutes for bus/streetcar and takes 5-10 minutes to drop me in Blackstone. It all averages out about the same time frame. For some, this option is less stressful than playing the find a parking spot game. Let's just say I loose track of time and the bus service ends, then I use the resources around me to get back. I can walk, I can call an uber, I can rent a e-bike to ride down the hill, etc. It's not a big deal for me and many others. And if you live in Nebraska., you should be dressing appropriately for the weather.

Which brings me to my next question. Is this proposed garage a city owned proposal? Or is the Blackstone district going to build it and pass the costs on the businesses in the district?

[nativeomahan]

Having two homes, one here in Omaha and one in México, I have time and money and emotions invested in both lifestyles. I grew up and spent most of my adult life in what is now older suburban central Omaha. I bought my childhood home from my mother over 30 years ago, so I have watched the area evolve over many decades, going back to when I rode a tricycle, then my Schwinn with the banana seat (way cool!), all the way to the 2020s and Social Security. I have owned a car in Omaha since 1975 and driven at least 10,000 miles a year most years except during Covid. 80-90% of those miles were within the Omaha city limits, I would estimate. I drive almost everywhere I need to go. Grocery shopping. The mall. Errands. To see friends. Out to eat. Etc. Other than walking my dog and mowing my yard if I am moving outside of the house chances are that my motor vehicle took me there. I used to live on a bus line but probably 20 years ago the city took it away. I would have to walk about a mile to access a Metro bus now. That ain’t gonna happen. I have grown used to depending on my own vehicle to get me where I need to go. When it is in the shop or has a dead battery or what have you I feel like a prisoner in my home. Omaha is poorly put together in 2023 as a workable, liveable city if you can’t or don’t drive.

But….in my other home, in what can reasonably be called an older suburban neighborhood in México, I don’t own a car. I never ever considered purchasing one. I don’t want the headache and expense, despite having two secure parking spaces that came with our condo. They sit empty. If I need to go to the grocery, or the city’s largest indoor mall, or even Costco, I walk. Need to go to the hardware or paint or plumbing supply store? I walk. If I want to go to a restaurant or bakery or coffee house, there are over 40 within a 2-10 minute walk. If I want to head downtown to meet friends, or to the beach, I have 2 main bus lines that can take me to both places, or up to the next state, within a 5-10 minute walk from my front door. If it’s raining or too hot I can opt for Uber. We’ve maintained our Mexican home for more than 6 years and I can count on one hand how many times we wished we had a car. Maybe to transport something large from Home Depot or the mall. That’s when we call on our friends or a neighbor .

Walkable big cities exist all over the world. They are soooo much nicer places to live! The US turned its back in the concept beginning a century ago. It’s so sad. How do you get that genie back in the bottle? I don’t know, but it will take a lot of time and governmental leadership in partnership with business to get it done. Until such time, neighborhoods like Blackstone, Benson, Dundee and the Old Market will depend upon reliable and adequate places for customers to park their cars in order to thrive.

[NEDodger]

Imagine living in Millard and wanting to be able to walk to the Walmart. It's really not a choice.

You wouldn't be opting to live in Millard if you wanted to walk to a Wal-Mart. You'd be choosing to live near one of these many colorful lines:






Anyways, this is veering off topic. Back to your regularly scheduled Blackstone Business Improvement District updates.

[Garrett]

Imagine living in Millard and wanting to be able to walk to the Walmart. It's really not a choice.

You wouldn't be opting to live in Millard if you wanted to walk to a Wal-Mart. You'd be choosing to live near one of these many colorful lines:






Anyways, this is veering off topic. Back to your regularly scheduled Blackstone Business Improvement District updates.

You wouldn’t opt to live in Millard because you’d quite literally have no choice. We’ve built American cities to the point where you need to own a car. Because of that, we have told residents that, in order to function as an adult, you need to pay $10,000 per year on average. I don’t hate cars as an urban planner, i simply want people to have the fundamental choice to own one, whereas we now make it a requirement in the vast majority of our cities.

[Renovator2559]

Imagine living in Millard and wanting to be able to walk to the Walmart. It's really not a choice.

You wouldn't be opting to live in Millard if you wanted to walk to a Wal-Mart. You'd be choosing to live near one of these many colorful lines:






Anyways, this is veering off topic. Back to your regularly scheduled Blackstone Business Improvement District updates.

The only reason we "wanted" to build sprawling swaths of grey wide roads with unsightly strip mall islands surrounded by a sea of grey parking lots, with long bars of 6+ traffic lights, was because the TV propaganda ads of the 1950s by big auto nudged us to enact policies that were pro-destruction of city centers, pro-destruction of small towns by spreading apart the way we built neighborhoods.

The Europeans were also following the same path as Americans, by requesting advice from American city planners, in how they too could make their cities "vibrant" with the flowing sea of grey and follow the progressive model of going away with the old and in with the new.

Though the Europeans were smart and soon realized the negatives in terms of social, economical, vibrant; their communities were being affected by the new American way of building suburbs. Now many cities in Europe, have taken out some of their highways and turned them into green spaces or multi-layered public transport. They have realized that catering to the person, pedestrians rather than cars; is the best way to have attractive communities.

Germans, have ironed out the kinks on how to build proper suburbs that are not an eyesore, dull, lifeless communities. Their suburb communities are more compact, have their own local stores and businesses, with public transport running through their suburbs. German suburbanites love their cars but they have multiple transport options.

Having multiple transport options, in itself is the definition of mobility freedom. Only having the car as an option and being tied to the car only, is not freedom.

[Athomsfere]

You wouldn’t opt to live in Millard because you’d quite literally have no choice. We’ve built American cities to the point where you need to own a car. Because of that, we have told residents that, in order to function as an adult, you need to pay $10,000 per year on average. I don’t hate cars as an urban planner, i simply want people to have the fundamental choice to own one, whereas we now make it a requirement in the vast majority of our cities.

Exactly. There will and always should be a place for those who need or want private transit. But it shouldn't be the default / only mode of transport for ~90% of the city.

Public transport shouldn't take 2-3 times as long as driving. Riding a bike should mean having to triple the distance to avoid car infrastructure for basic errands.

[OracleOfOmaha]

Having two homes, one here in Omaha and one in México, I have time and money and emotions invested in both lifestyles. I grew up and spent most of my adult life in what is now older suburban central Omaha. I bought my childhood home from my mother over 30 years ago, so I have watched the area evolve over many decades, going back to when I rode a tricycle, then my Schwinn with the banana seat (way cool!), all the way to the 2020s and Social Security. I have owned a car in Omaha since 1975 and driven at least 10,000 miles a year most years except during Covid. 80-90% of those miles were within the Omaha city limits, I would estimate. I drive almost everywhere I need to go. Grocery shopping. The mall. Errands. To see friends. Out to eat. Etc. Other than walking my dog and mowing my yard if I am moving outside of the house chances are that my motor vehicle took me there. I used to live on a bus line but probably 20 years ago the city took it away. I would have to walk about a mile to access a Metro bus now. That ain’t gonna happen. I have grown used to depending on my own vehicle to get me where I need to go. When it is in the shop or has a dead battery or what have you I feel like a prisoner in my home. Omaha is poorly put together in 2023 as a workable, liveable city if you can’t or don’t drive.

But….in my other home, in what can reasonably be called an older suburban neighborhood in México, I don’t own a car. I never ever considered purchasing one. I don’t want the headache and expense, despite having two secure parking spaces that came with our condo. They sit empty. If I need to go to the grocery, or the city’s largest indoor mall, or even Costco, I walk. Need to go to the hardware or paint or plumbing supply store? I walk. If I want to go to a restaurant or bakery or coffee house, there are over 40 within a 2-10 minute walk. If I want to head downtown to meet friends, or to the beach, I have 2 main bus lines that can take me to both places, or up to the next state, within a 5-10 minute walk from my front door. If it’s raining or too hot I can opt for Uber. We’ve maintained our Mexican home for more than 6 years and I can count on one hand how many times we wished we had a car. Maybe to transport something large from Home Depot or the mall. That’s when we call on our friends or a neighbor .

Walkable big cities exist all over the world. They are soooo much nicer places to live! The US turned its back in the concept beginning a century ago. It’s so sad. How do you get that genie back in the bottle? I don’t know, but it will take a lot of time and governmental leadership in partnership with business to get it done. Until such time, neighborhoods like Blackstone, Benson, Dundee and the Old Market will depend upon reliable and adequate places for customers to park their cars in order to thrive.

I don't know if living in a condo in a tourist beach town in Mexico, Puerto Vallarta, is the best comparison to Omaha, Nebraska, but I get what you are saying hahah

[nativeomahan]

The same could be said for larger Mexican cities. I am familiar with Guadalajara, a metro area on par, population wise, with Dallas/Ft. Worth. When we stayed there, in an Air B&B, we had access to a car but soon discovered that to be a huge albatross. There was simply no place to park anywhere that we wanted to go. The city has essentially no public parking garages, and certainly no parking lots! People rely on public transportation, or their feet. Or a taxi or Uber, which were super cheap (equivalent of 50¢ per mile). We walked to every restaurant we ate at during our entire visit, because virtually every neighborhood has dozens of restaurants.
My good friend lives now in a distant southwestern suburb. Think Springfield by analogy. He works in another distant NW suburb about 12-15 miles away (think Valley). Each morning he takes public transportation to work. It takes him about 45 minutes each way, but it’s efficient and cheap.

[Dusty]

Taking parking out of the core of Blackstone would probably sacrifice around 28 or so spaces per block, so a little over 100 parking spaces total in a 4 block run. The city could even build a small parking garage on 40th/farnam with some on street uses if it really wanted to make up for the lost parking.

I like the idea of reducing on-street parking, but would do it in phases. Maybe start with 6 spots per block and let people get used to that. Since the sidewalks are narrow, it can cause people to spill into the streets and cause a danger factor. Also, the pedestrian experience is diminished when it's crowded around certain hot zones of the district. The spot in front of Coneflower needs to have the sidewalk widened. I would love to see some benches put in so you can sit down and eat your ice cream.

We have so many tools in our toolbox to use that are cheaper and might be just as effective. We are quick to use that same "car infrastructure" wrench that cost the city a fortune. I want people to be open-minded to different ideas even if that pushes you out of your comfort zone. It's important we keep the cost down for businesses in Blackstone so they can thrive and prosper. If you look at developments like Aksarben and Midtown Crossing, they pass the cost of the garages on by charging higher rent. This squeezes out the local businesses to lease there. Where do we have a ton local businesses with no garage parking? Benson, Dundee, South Omaha Business District, Florence, Blackstone, etc. If we decide to build a garage, then charge for convenience parking. Drivers should be paying for it, not the businesses. To me, parking across the street at Mutual of Omaha for $5 is a fair tradeoff. Working with Clarkson as overflow would be a fair trade off.

[Renovator2559]

The same could be said for larger Mexican cities. I am familiar with Guadalajara, a metro area on par, population wise, with Dallas/Ft. Worth. When we stayed there, in an Air B&B, we had access to a car but soon discovered that to be a huge albatross. There was simply no place to park anywhere that we wanted to go. The city has essentially no public parking garages, and certainly no parking lots! People rely on public transportation, or their feet. Or a taxi or Uber, which were super cheap (equivalent of 50¢ per mile). We walked to every restaurant we ate at during our entire visit, because virtually every neighborhood has dozens of restaurants.
My good friend lives now in a distant southwestern suburb. Think Springfield by analogy. He works in another distant NW suburb about 12-15 miles away (think Valley). Each morning he takes public transportation to work. It takes him about 45 minutes each way, but it’s efficient and cheap.

The company that I work for, has an office in Aguascalientes Mexico, so I've been there several times, Aguascalientes (Hotsprings) has the same size as Omaha in population. Though, it's a much older city.

Aguascalientes downtown by Mercado Teran. has narrow streets compared to Blackstone, yet on my previous visit they narrowed some of the main streets by removing side parking, bi-way and widening the sidewalks. Locals told me that the streets are so much easier to cross and less dangerous with the narrow one lane design.



If European and Mexican cities are able to have narrow streets in a pedestrian dominant area, why can't we do the same and reap the benefits of a safer Blackstone?


This area on 16th street, is one of my favorite streets in downtown Omaha to walk through. This would be another concept that could be used in Blackstone, instead of having the low cost poles that prompt cars to be more careful and slower passing through Blackstone.
Also, if sidewalks were brick layered like in 16th street or brick concrete combo (Broadway CB), these sidewalks would bring more charm to Blackstone.

[TransitOriented]

Time to talk to your local government officials. A bunch of people talking on a website won't get anything done.

[OracleOfOmaha]

The same could be said for larger Mexican cities. I am familiar with Guadalajara, a metro area on par, population wise, with Dallas/Ft. Worth. When we stayed there, in an Air B&B, we had access to a car but soon discovered that to be a huge albatross. There was simply no place to park anywhere that we wanted to go. The city has essentially no public parking garages, and certainly no parking lots! People rely on public transportation, or their feet. Or a taxi or Uber, which were super cheap (equivalent of 50¢ per mile). We walked to every restaurant we ate at during our entire visit, because virtually every neighborhood has dozens of restaurants.
My good friend lives now in a distant southwestern suburb. Think Springfield by analogy. He works in another distant NW suburb about 12-15 miles away (think Valley). Each morning he takes public transportation to work. It takes him about 45 minutes each way, but it’s efficient and cheap.

18. Guadalajara, Mexico
> Hours lost sitting in traffic: 181

Guadalajara is the second most congested city in Mexico. Drivers spent 181 hours, or 7.5 days, in 2018 sitting in congested traffic. Poorly maintained roads and frequent floods that block many streets in the summer during the rainy season disrupt traffic significantly.

[Renovator2559]

Time to talk to your local government officials. A bunch of people talking on a website won't get anything done.

Some of us do talk to our officials. Though some of us don't know how and would like to. What's the best way to engage with the city planners?

[Renovator2559]

18. Guadalajara, Mexico
> Hours lost sitting in traffic: 181

Guadalajara is the second most congested city in Mexico. Drivers spent 181 hours, or 7.5 days, in 2018 sitting in congested traffic. Poorly maintained roads and frequent floods that block many streets in the summer during the rainy season disrupt traffic significantly.

Most beautiful and desirable cities that favor people/pedestrians make their cities around people not cars. These cities are vibrant and encourage public transport, shops and businesses are walking distance. What's the point of creating highways everywhere and tailoring to the car, when the city as a whole is mostly dead and less economically viable for businesses. Also car centricity reduces the amount of shops that people visit.

European cities intentionally make the cars, take the long route to discourage cars reducing the economic impact of an area.

Blackstone would benefit even more, if Farnam went into a street diet.

[OracleOfOmaha]

18. Guadalajara, Mexico
> Hours lost sitting in traffic: 181

Guadalajara is the second most congested city in Mexico. Drivers spent 181 hours, or 7.5 days, in 2018 sitting in congested traffic. Poorly maintained roads and frequent floods that block many streets in the summer during the rainy season disrupt traffic significantly.

Most beautiful and desirable cities that favor people/pedestrians make their cities around people not cars. These cities are vibrant and encourage public transport, shops and businesses are walking distance. What's the point of creating highways everywhere and tailoring to the car, when the city as a whole is mostly dead and less economically viable for businesses. Also car centricity reduces the amount of shops that people visit.

European cities intentionally make the cars, take the long route to discourage cars reducing the economic impact of an area.

Blackstone would benefit even more, if Farnam went into a street diet.

Bud, I'm quoting and posting based off who I responded to's anecdotal evidence of Guad.

Proud of you writing all of that which we already understand on this forum.

and european city centers created and developed for centuries before the advent of the car don't eliminate massive car use in their outer rings. All cities have a mix of car/trasnsit/walk/ride/bike. How those cities incorporate and build upon the existing infrastructure is where citing differences and example can work, while recognizing reality.

[Athomsfere]

I think we are about a page late, as we all got way off course... But I think its past time we move this city planning / transport or a new thread?

[thenewguy]

agreed. there's a thread for that already.

Urban Transit: Transportation and Development

[Coyote]

Blackstone Business Improvement District works to improve parking



Parking is a constant complaint of Blackstone patrons; the Business Improvement District said it's working to improve it, but also guide people on where to park

[skip]

Old Cool greens spot next to Kamp got leased. Anyone know what it’s gonna be?

[BIGO88]

Yes the old coolgreens spot and the new building at 3863 Farnam both have Leased signs with construction going. Anybody know anything?

[skip]

Yes the old coolgreens spot and the new building at 3863 Farnam both have Leased signs with construction going. Anybody know anything?

One of the new leased spots at the new building at 3863 Farnam is going to be a Gourmet Toast cafe - I don't know the name of it yet. Yes, you heard that right. Gourmet TOAST. Hopefully it's got a good cafe/coffee shop vibe. There is not a chance I will be attending if its restaurant style lol.

"Table of four, and yes, we will start with a round of avocado toast"

[Jins123]

Yes the old coolgreens spot and the new building at 3863 Farnam both have Leased signs with construction going. Anybody know anything?

One of the new leased spots at the new building at 3863 Farnam is going to be a Gourmet Toast cafe - I don't know the name of it yet. Yes, you heard that right. Gourmet TOAST. Hopefully it's got a good cafe/coffee shop vibe. There is not a chance I will be attending if its restaurant style lol.

"Table of four, and yes, we will start with a round of avocado toast"

I remember I went to a “gourmet oatmeal bar” in Denver once. It was a subway line order for your oatmeal.

[iamjacobm]

Yes the old coolgreens spot and the new building at 3863 Farnam both have Leased signs with construction going. Anybody know anything?

One of the new leased spots at the new building at 3863 Farnam is going to be a Gourmet Toast cafe - I don't know the name of it yet. Yes, you heard that right. Gourmet TOAST. Hopefully it's got a good cafe/coffee shop vibe. There is not a chance I will be attending if its restaurant style lol.

"Table of four, and yes, we will start with a round of avocado toast"

I remember I went to a “gourmet oatmeal bar” in Denver once. It was a subway line order for your oatmeal.

There is a cereal bar on 10th street south of the Old Market.

[Coyote]

More parking space to be installed in Omaha's Blackstone District



City officials are planning to add more parking space to the growing Blackstone District in Midtown Omaha.

[Louie]

I assume the 300 space garage they are referring to is the parking below 37 West Farnam?

[skinzfan23]

I assume the 300 space garage they are referring to is the parking below 37 West Farnam?

It appears so. Is that project due to be completed next spring? Thats what the story says, but I find that hard to believe considering they aren't even done with the parking garage aspect yet.

[ita]

I assume the 300 space garage they are referring to is the parking below 37 West Farnam?

It appears so. Is that project due to be completed next spring? Thats what the story says, but I find that hard to believe considering they aren't even done with the parking garage aspect yet.

The website has Fall 2024 as a completion timeframe.

[nativeomahan]

The garage could well be open a few months before the housing above it is completed.

[Renovator2559]

The garage could well be open a few months before the housing above it is completed.

What about all the staging equipment, which currently has the building surrounded?

[Louie]

I still feel like there is no way they'd be able to open the garage until all exterior work is finished. Which for as tall as the building will be, will be an incredible push to get done by next spring.

[Athomsfere]

The garage could well be open a few months before the housing above it is completed.

What about all the staging equipment, which currently has the building surrounded?

Once the exterior finished, you can get rid of that equipment.

Open the garage as the carpenters, brick / tile, plumbers etc. are working on the inside.

I assume that's what nativeomahan meant at least.

[nativeomahan]

Of course. Interior work takes months to complete (maybe 6 or more given the size of the structure), but the garage needs none of that sort of finish work.

[BIGO88]

Lazy Buffalo BBQ will be taking over the kathmandu momo station attached to scriptown. Should be open around March

[F0R_L1F3]

I'm curious, with the previous conversation about streetscapes for Blackstone and road changes, is it still going to continue with this project? https://www.blackstonedistrict.com/streetscape-project Don't know much about it so wanted to know a little more.

[Athomsfere]

I'm curious, with the previous conversation about streetscapes for Blackstone and road changes, is it still going to continue with this project? https://www.blackstonedistrict.com/streetscape-project Don't know much about it so wanted to know a little more.

It was sort of done with the bollards installed, and in a way better than what I see in that project.

I'd imagine with the streetcar project, there isn't much reason to plan anything else right this minute though.

[Dundeemaha]

I'm curious, with the previous conversation about streetscapes for Blackstone and road changes, is it still going to continue with this project? https://www.blackstonedistrict.com/streetscape-project Don't know much about it so wanted to know a little more.

At least it doesn't necessarily rule out things like the overhead lights because that section will be off-wire. But I'm not sure if the bar on top of the cars would drop down when not in use.

Don't think this has been posted but here is the updated route map:

[BensonBunnyBoy]

Lazy Buffalo BBQ will be taking over the kathmandu momo station attached to scriptown. Should be open around March

damn I loved that spot in blackstone! Why are they leaving?

[Jins123]

Lazy Buffalo BBQ will be taking over the kathmandu momo station attached to scriptown. Should be open around March

damn I loved that spot in blackstone! Why are they leaving?

I read in the Kathmandu Instagram comments they announced they’re moving downtown, next to The Green Room on 16th st